Brush assembly for a floor cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A floor cleaning machine for cleaning a surface. The floor cleaning machine includes a base. A brush assembly is coupled to the base, and includes a rotating brush and a reciprocating bnish. The rotating brush and the reciprocating brush are configured to engage the surface.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a brush assembly for a floor cleaningdevice.

Typically, floor cleaning machines include an agitator brush driven by amotor. Conventional agitator brushes are contained within a base of thefloor cleaning machine and rotate about a horizontal or vertical axis.As such, conventional agitator brushes are only able to captureparticulates (i.e., dust, dirt, dander, etc.) that are directly beneaththe base. Particulates that are along the edges of the base may not becaptured because the agitator brush does not extend beyond the base ofthe floor cleaning machine.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a floor cleaning machine forcleaning a surface. The floor cleaning machine includes a base and abrush assembly is coupled to the base, and includes a rotating brush anda reciprocating brush. The rotating brush and the reciprocating brushare configured to engage the surface.

In another embodiment the invention provides a floor cleaning machinefor cleaning a surface. The floor cleaning machine includes a base and abrush assembly is coupled to the base. The brush assembly includes arotating brush that is rotatable about an axis relative to the base anda reciprocating brush that is operably coupled to the rotating brushsuch that the reciprocating brush reciprocates along the surface inresponse to rotation of the rotating brush.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floor cleaning machine including abrush assembly according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the floor cleaning machine including thebrush assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the floor cleaning machine including thebrush assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the brush assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the brush assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the brush assembly of FIG. 1 in a firstposition.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the brush assembly of FIG. 1 in a secondposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary floor cleaning machine 10. Theillustrated floor cleaning machine 10 is upright floor cleaning machinethat is operable to clean a surface such as, for example, a floor. Insome embodiments, the floor cleaning machine may be operable to clean avariety of surfaces, such as carpets, hardwood floors, tiles, or thelike. The floor cleaning machine 10 distributes a cleaning fluid, forexample, water, detergent, or a mixture of water and detergent, onto thesurface to clean the surface. The floor cleaning machine 10 then drawsthe cleaning fluid and dirt off of the surface, leaving the surfacerelatively clean and dry.

In the illustrated embodiment, the floor cleaning machine 10 includes abase 14, a handle 18 coupled to the base 14, a brush assembly 26, asuction system 28, and a fluid distribution system 32. The base 14supports the other components of the floor cleaning machine 10 andincludes two wheels 34 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) tofacilitate movement of the floor cleaning machine 10 along the surface.In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels 34 are idle wheels. In otherembodiments, the wheels 34 may be driven wheels. The handle 18 ispivotally coupled to and extends from the base 14. The handle 18 ismovable between an upright position (FIG. 1) and an inclined position(not shown). When in the upright position, the handle 18 facilitatesstorage of the floor cleaning machine 10. When in the inclined position,the handle 18 facilitates moving the base 14 along the surface to becleaned.

Further with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 14 also includes asuction nozzle 38 and a distribution nozzle 42 (FIG. 2). The suctionnozzle 38 is part of the suction system 28 and is positioned near alower surface of the base 14. The suction nozzle 38 draws dirt, fluid,and other objects into the floor cleaning machine 10 to clean a surface.The distribution nozzle 42 is part of the fluid distribution system 32and is adjacent the suction nozzle 38. The distribution nozzle 42distributes cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of the suction system 28. Thesuction system 28 includes a suction source 30, which includes a motorand a fan in one embodiment, a recovery tank 46, and the suction nozzle38 coupled to the base 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the suctionfan is supported in the base 14 generally beneath the recovery tank 46.In other embodiments, the suction fan may be positioned elsewhere on thefloor cleaning machine 10. The suction fan is mounted to and directlydriven by the motor. The suction fan is in fluid communication with thesuction nozzle 38 coupled to the base 14 and generates a vacuum to drawfluid and dirt from a surface through the suction nozzle 38 coupled tothe base 14 and propel the fluid and dirt into the recovery tank 46.

In the illustrated embodiment, the recovery tank 46 is coupled directlyto and supported by the base 14. In other embodiments, the recovery tank46 may be coupled directly to the handle 18, yet still supported by thebase 14. The recovery tank 46 receives fluid and dirt drawn in from thesurface through the suction nozzle 38. In the illustrated embodiment,the recovery tank 46 is removable from the floor cleaning machine 10. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the recovery tank 46 includes a handle 50 tofacilitate carrying the recovery tank 46 apart from the base 14. Therecovery tank 46 may also include one or more user-operable latches,magnets, or other connector mechanisms to releasably secure the recoverytank 46 to the base 14. In alternative embodiments, the recovery tankmay include a cyclonic separator or a vacuum filter bag.

Further with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fluid distribution system 32of the illustrated embodiment includes a supply tank 58, thedistribution nozzle 42 located on the base 14, a trigger 54, andconduits that connect the supply tank 58 to the distribution nozzle 42of the base 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply tank 58 iscoupled to the handle 18 and supported by the base 14. In otherembodiments, the supply tank 58 may be directly coupled to and supportedby the base 14. The supply tank 58 is in fluid communication with thedistribution nozzle 42 to distribute cleaning fluid to the surface to becleaned. The trigger 54 is positioned on the handle 18 and actuatable tospray or distribute cleaning fluid through the distribution nozzle 42onto the surface. The conduits include a valve coupled to the trigger 54that may be selectively opened by actuating the trigger 54. The valveallows fluid to flow out of the supply tank 58. Gravity draws thecleaning fluid downward to be expelled through the distribution nozzle42. In some embodiments, the supply tank 58 provides two separatecleaning fluids (e.g., water and detergent) to the distribution nozzle42. The gravity fluid distribution subsystem then mixes the fluids anddistributes the mixed cleaning fluid onto the surface through thedistribution nozzle 42. In some embodiments, the gravity fluiddistribution subsystem may alternatively include a pump to draw cleaningfluid from the supply tank 58. For certain embodiments, such as a vacuumcleaner or other dry system, the fluid distribution system is omitted.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the brush assembly 26 is supported on the base14 adjacent the suction nozzle 38 and the distribution nozzle 42. FIGS.3-7 illustrate the brush assembly 26 in greater detail. The brushassembly 26 includes an attachment portion 100 that couples the brushassembly 26 to the base 14. With particular references to FIG. 4, theattachment portion 100 defines a longitudinal axis A and includes afirst side 104 that is spaced apart from a second side 108 and a firstsurface 112 that is spaced apart from a second surface 116. Theattachment portion 100 includes a plurality of apertures 120 extendingfrom the first surface 112 to the second surface 116 through theattachment portion 100. Additionally, fasteners or toothed projections124 extend perpendicularly from the first surface 112. The toothedprojections 124 engage the base 14 to secure the attachment portion 100to the base 14. The attachment portion 100 is configured to be removablefrom the base 14 and replaceable with another brush assembly.Alternative embodiments may use other fastening mechanisms (e.g.,screws, etc.) to secure the attachment portion 100 to the base 14. Theattachment portion 100 further includes a slot 128 on the first side104. In other embodiments, the slot may be on the second side.Alternatively, both the first and the second sides 104, 108 may includea slot 128. A pin 132 (FIGS. 5-7) is also secured to the first surface112 of the attachment portion 100.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, the brush assembly 26 further includes aplurality of rotating brushes 138, each of which is configured to engagethe floor surface. In the illustrated embodiment there are six rotatingbrushes 138A-138F; although in additional embodiments there may greateror fewer rotating brushes. Each of the rotating brushes 138 includes ashaft 142 that is coupled to a gear portion 146. At least a portion ofeach of the outermost shaft 142F on the first side 104 is an eccentricportion. In the illustrated embodiment, an eccentric portion or cam lobe150 is coupled to a body 154F of the shaft 142F. In other embodiments,the body 154F itself may form the eccentric portion 150. In theillustrated embodiment, the outermost shafts 138A, 138F on both sides104, 108 include an eccentric portion 150. In additional embodiments anyor all of the rotating brushes may have shafts or portions thereofforming eccentric portions 150. Additionally, the shaft 138B is a driveshaft that has a square cross section (FIG. 4) configured to be attachedto the motor, which is the motor of the suction source 30 in theillustrated embodiment. Alternatively, the shaft 13B may be driven by anauxiliary brush motor (not shown). With respect to FIG. 5, each of therotating brushes 138 is positioned relative to the attachment portion100 by a coupler 158 that receives the respective shaft 142. Inparticular, the coupler 158 is positioned between the gear portion 146and the attachment portion 100. A fastener 162 (i.e., a screw, etc.) isthreadingly received in the body 154 of each of the shafts 142. Thefastener 162 secures the gear portion 146 relative to the shaft 142.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the shafts 142 extends through one ofthe plurality of apertures 120 of the attachment portion 100. As such, afirst end of each of the shafts 142 projects from the first surface 112of the attachment portion 100, while the gear portions 146 are adjacentto the second surface 116 of the attachment portion 100. A plurality ofbristles 166 extends from each of the rotating brushes 138 and engagesthe floor surface. Each of the shafts 142 is rotatable within therespective aperture 120 and the gear portions 146 are rotatable relativeto the attachment portion 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the rotating brushes138 are rotatable about an axis B that is substantial perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis A such that the rotating brushes 138 rotate aboutan axis approximately perpendicular to the surface being cleaned.Alternatively, the rotating brush may rotate about a horizontal axis, orother rotational axis as desired for the application. In the illustratedembodiment, each of the rotating brushes 138 rotates relative to oneanother. The gear portion 146 of each rotating brush 138 engages withthe gear portion 146 of one or more adjacent rotating brushes 138 suchthat rotation of one of the plurality of brushes 138 causes rotation ofall of the rotating brushes 138.

FIG. 5 illustrates the brush assembly 26 also includes a reciprocatingbrush 170. The reciprocating brush 170 includes a body portion 174 witha first side 178 and a second side 182, a shaft 186, and a plurality ofbristles 190. The shaft 186 extends from the first side 178 and theplurality of bristles 190 extends from the second side 182. Thereciprocating brush 170 is received within the slot 128 and slidablerelative to the attachment portion 100. In particular, the reciprocatingshaft 170 is slidable along an axis C (FIG. 4) that is perpendicular toboth the longitudinal axis A and axes B of the rotating brushes 138 suchthat the reciprocating brush reciprocates along the surface in responseto rotation of the rotating brush. In other embodiments thereciprocating brush 170 may be angled such that the bristles 190 extendoutwardly from attachment portion 100 and the base 14 at an angle. Inother words, the reciprocating brush 170, and/or the bristles 190 may beoriented at an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinalaxis A of the attachment portion 100. In particular, the body portion174 may be angled relative to the attachment portion 100. Alternatively,the bristles 190 may be angled relative to the body portion 174 of thereciprocating brush 170. Although the illustrated brush assembly 26illustrates only one reciprocating brush 170, it should be understoodthat there could be a reciprocating brush 170 one or more sides of theattachment portion 100.

Further with respect to FIG. 5, the rotating brush 138F is coupled tothe reciprocating brush 170 by a link 194 coupling one of the shafts(i.e., an outermost shaft 142F) of the rotating brush 138F to thereciprocating brush 170. In particular, a first end 198 of the link 194is coupled to the attachment portion 100 and the second end 202 of thelink 194 is coupled to the shaft 186 of the reciprocating brush 170. Thefirst end 198 of the link 194 is coupled to the pin 132 such that thelink 194 is pivotable relative to the base 14 and the attachment portion100. The first end 198 of the link 194 is pivotable about an axis Ddefined by the pin 132, which in the illustrated embodiment issubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The link 194includes an aperture 206 that receives the eccentric portion 150 of theshaft 142F of the rotating brush 138F. In the illustrated embodiment,the aperture 206 in the link 194 is substantially rectangularly shaped.A length L of the aperture 206 is longer than a length L′ of theeccentric portion of the shaft 142F. A width W of the aperture 206 islarger than or substantially the same length L′ of the eccentric portion150 of the shaft 142F and wider than a width W′ of the eccentric portion150 of the shaft 142F such that the eccentric portion 150 rotates in theaperture 206. The eccentric portion 150 of the shaft 146F causeseccentric rotation of the shaft 142F upon actuation of the motor. As aresult, the link 194 pivots about its first end 198 causing the secondend 202 and the reciprocating brush 170 to reciprocate linearly. Withparticular reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the reciprocating brush 170 ismoveable between a first position and a second position in response tothe rotating motion of the rotating brushes 138 such that thereciprocating brush 170 engages the surface of the floor.

In operation, a user cleans a floor surface using the floor cleaningmachine 10. The user inclines the handle 18 and rolls the floor cleaningmachine 10 across the floor surface to be cleaned. The user actuates thetrigger 54 to distribute cleaning fluid onto the surface through thedistribution nozzle 42 coupled to the base 14. In addition to drivingthe suction fan to generate a vacuum force in the nozzles 35, 50, themotor is selectively coupled to the shaft 142B of the rotating brush138B by a belt, for example, that is driven by a gear assembly. As such,actuation of the motor rotates shaft 142B and therefore, the attachedgear portion 146B, of rotating brush 138B. Rotation of the rotatingbrush 138B causes each of the rotating brushes 138, including theoutermost rotating brush 138F, to rotate such that the bristles 166scrub or beat the surface adjacent an interior portion 210 of the base14. Because the outermost rotating brush 138F is coupled to thereciprocating brush 170 by the link 194, rotation of the outermostrotating brush 138F causes movement of the reciprocating brush 170,which reciprocates linearly to scrub or beat the floor surface adjacenta periphery of the base 214. In other words, the reciprocating brush 170is able to capture particulates on an edge of the periphery 214 of thebase 14 or in a grout line in a tile surface. The suction nozzle 38coupled to the base 14 draws any cleaning fluid and dirt from thesurface, including the edges of the base, to the recovery tank 46.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A floor cleaning machine for cleaning a surface,the floor cleaning machine comprising: a base; and a brush assemblycoupled to the base, the brush assembly including a rotating brush and areciprocating brush, the rotating brush and the reciprocating brushconfigured to engage the surface.
 2. The floor cleaning machine of claim1, wherein the rotating brush is coupled to the reciprocating brush suchthat rotation of the rotating brush causes the reciprocating motion ofthe reciprocating brush.
 3. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1,further comprising a motor operable to rotate the rotating brush, andwherein the rotating brush includes a shaft and an eccentric portionrotatable with the shaft and a plurality of bristles coupled to theshaft such that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the bristles,the shaft being operably coupled to the motor such that actuation of themotor causes rotation of the shaft.
 4. The floor cleaning machine ofclaim 1, wherein the rotating brush includes a shaft and an eccentricportion rotatable with the shaft and the brush assembly further includesa link that is movable relative to the base and coupled to thereciprocating brush, the eccentric portion extending through the linksuch that rotation of the shaft causes the link to move thereciprocating brush linearly.
 5. The floor cleaning machine of claim 2,wherein the brush assembly includes an attachment portion that couplesthe brush assembly to the base, the rotating brush being rotatablycoupled to the attachment portion.
 6. The floor cleaning machine ofclaim 5, wherein the attachment portion includes a slot, thereciprocating brush being slideable within the slot.
 7. The floorcleaning machine of claim 6, wherein a link couples the shaft to thereciprocating brush, the link having a first end movably coupled to theattachment portion and a second end coupled to the reciprocating brush.8. The floor cleaning machine of claim 7, wherein rotation of the shaftcauses the first end of the link to pivot about an axis that extendsapproximately parallel to the shaft such that the second end causesreciprocating motion of the reciprocating brush.
 9. The floor cleaningmachine of claim 1, wherein the rotating brush includes a shaft and aneccentric portion rotatable with the shaft.
 10. The floor cleaningmachine of claim 1, wherein the reciprocating brush includes a bodyportion with a first side and a second side, a shaft, and a plurality ofbristles, the shaft extending from the first side and the plurality ofbristles extending from the second side.
 11. The floor cleaning machineof claim 10, wherein a link couples the rotating brush to the shaft ofthe reciprocating brush such that rotation of the rotating brushreciprocates at least a portion of the link and the reciprocating brush.12. The floor cleaning machine of claim 11, wherein the brush assemblyincludes an attachment portion that couples the brush assembly to thebase, the rotating brush being rotatably coupled to the attachmentportion and the link having a first end movably coupled to theattachment portion and a second end coupled to the shaft of thereciprocating brush.
 13. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1, whereinthe rotating brush is one of a plurality of rotating brushes, each ofthe plurality of rotating brushes including a shaft and a gear portionand a plurality of bristles, each of the shafts is rotatable to rotatethe plurality of bristles, the gear portions of each rotating brushengage with the gear portion of an adjacent rotating brush such thatrotation of one of the plurality of brushes causes rotation of all ofthe plurality of brushes.
 14. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1,further comprising a distribution nozzle coupled to the base; a supplytank assembly coupled to the base in fluid communication with thedistribution nozzle; a suction nozzle coupled to the base; a suctionsource in fluid communication with the suction nozzle, the suctionsource including a motor and operable to draw fluid and dirt from thesurface through the suction nozzle; and a recovery tank coupled to thebase in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and storefluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle.
 15. The floor cleaningmachine of claim 1, wherein the base includes a base and handlepivotally coupled to the base.
 16. The floor cleaning machine of claim1, where the rotating brush rotates about an axis approximatelyperpendicular to the surface.
 17. A floor cleaning machine for cleaninga surface, the floor cleaning machine comprising: a base; and a brushassembly coupled to the base, the brush assembly including a rotatingbrush rotatable about an axis relative to the base, and a reciprocatingbrush operably coupled to the rotating brush such that the reciprocatingbrush reciprocates along the surface in response to rotation of therotating brush.
 18. The floor cleaning machine of claim 15, furthercomprising a motor operable to rotate the rotating brush wherein therotating brush includes a shaft and an eccentric portion rotatable withthe shaft and a plurality of bristles coupled to the shaft such thatrotation of the shaft causes rotation of the bristles, the shaft beingoperably coupled to the motor such that actuation of the motor causesrotation of the shaft.
 19. The floor cleaning machine of claim 16.wherein the brush assembly further includes: an attachment portion thatcouples the brush assembly to the base; and a link that couples theshaft to the reciprocating brush, the link having a first end pivotablycoupled to the attachment portion and a second end coupled to thereciprocating brush.
 20. The floor cleaning machine of claim 17, whereinrotation of the eccentric portion of the shaft causes both ends of thelink to pivot about an axis that extends parallel to the shaft.
 21. Thefloor cleaning machine of claim 15, wherein the base includes a base andhandle pivotally coupled to the base.
 22. The floor cleaning machine ofclaim 15, further comprising a distribution nozzle coupled to the base;a supply tank assembly coupled to the base in fluid communication withthe distribution nozzle; a suction nozzle coupled to the base; a suctionsource in fluid communication with the suction nozzle, the suctionsource including a motor and operable to draw fluid and dirt from thesurface through the suction nozzle; and a recovery tank coupled to thebase in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and storefluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle.